PixelOptics' electronic focusing eyeglasses were featured January 18 on the nationally syndicated talk show, "Live! With Regis and Kelly." Technology expert Leo Laporte highlighted emPower! in a segment that featured products seen at the 2011 CES (Consumer Electronic's Show).

"We are very pleased with the favorable response emPower! received at the CES as well as the attention from the international press," says Larry Rodriguez, senior vice president of sales and marketing for PixelOptics. "Consumers have had an opportunity to learn about emPower! on ABC, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, PC Magazine and Maximum Tech Magazine. This attention is especially exciting because the product has not even been officially launched."

At CES, Clay Musslewhite of PixelOptics (at left) previewed emPower! lenses for eL&T editor Andrew Karp, who was scouting the show for new eyewear technology.

Consumers who are seeing press coverage of emPower! and would like to learn more can go to empowereyewear.com. PixelOptics plans to launch emPower! in mid-March at Vision Expo East in New York City.

Based on the success of partnering with mobile literacy unit Bess the Book Bus on a nationwide tour in 2010, Transitions Optical has announced a second year of this partnership in 2011. Through the partnership, Transitions Optical will continue as the lead sponsor of the Book Bus' national tour, which will bring free books to children in-need at schools, shelters and after-school programs in underserved communities across the country.

As part of the 2011 partnership, Transitions Optical will also participate on-site in key events alongside the Book Bus by providing free eyecare and eyewear to children in-need. Bringing its 40-foot, state-of-the-art mobile eyecare clinic named "Eyenstein," which was created as a joint venture with VSP Vision Care, to several events throughout the year, Transitions Optical will provide free comprehensive eye exams and new eyewear fitted with Transitions lenses to children who require prescription eyeglasses right onboard the clinic.

Bess the Book Bus will kick off its 2011 tour in March at the Transitions Championship, a PGA Tour event in the Tampa Bay area, where the Book Bus has appeared for the past two years as part of the tournament's "Youth Wellness Days." Frances plans to continue the tour throughout the summer and fall, driving the Book Bus to communities ranging from New York City to the Gulf Coast.

Essilor of America is introducing the Share Your Xperio Story program to provide ECPs with an opportunity to offer video testimonials about their experiences prescribing and wearing Xperio polarized lenses. The first one hundred eligible participants to upload their amateur videos to shareyourxperiostory.com will earn a voucher for a free pair of Xperio lenses. ECPs can also visit the site to view stories and practice tips submitted by their peers from around the country.

The Share Your Xperio Story program is looking for simple amateur videos that portray ECPs and their success stories. According to Essilor, entrants can simply sit in their favorite chair, turn on their camera or mobile phone, and tell their Xperio story. Participants can also record and submit a story directly from a webcam. Videos should be from 30 seconds to three minutes in length. Suggested topics include:

How has prescribing Xperio sunglasses impacted your practice?

What is your personal experience wearing Xperio lenses?

Can you describe a successful sunwear conversation and/or demonstration you had with one of your patients?

What are your patients telling you about their Xperio polarized experience?

ABB Concise, a leading contact lens distributor, is releasing an updated edition of its Ophthalmic Lens Portfolio. The Ophthalmic Lens Portfolio is a reference guide to the sizes, parameters and features available for a wide variety of ophthalmic lenses distributed by the company. It includes lenses from Essilor, KBco, Somo, PPG and other manufacturers.

"It is important to have lenses for every budget. That's why we offer a range of brand-recognized lenses from Essilor, as well as value lenses from Somo," says Michael Abbruzzese, ABB Concise's vice president of market. "Plus we carry extended ranges in some of our best-selling products."

The Ophthalmic Lens Portfolio is available to accounts through an ABB CONCISE sales representative or on abbconcise.com.

#1 Selling is a process; it is teachable, repeatable, and measurable. It is a process for guiding an effective conversation in which both parties feel satisfied with the conclusion. The process begins with each party knowing up front what will happen over the next few minutes or hours. This is called setting the agenda.
For more information, and to take this CE course online, visit
www.2020mag.com

#2 Asking for the order is a natural part of the process, providing the process is executed well. However, there is a second law of sales that has to be followed; he who speaks first, loses. Ask for the order, and then shut up. Plain, succinct and straight forward-do not say a word.
For more information, and to take this CE course online, visit
www.2020mag.com

Manufacturer: Carl Zeiss VisionDescription: Carl Zeiss Vision is releasing a broad range of Zeiss, SOLA and AO designs in new Transitions XTRActive lenses.Features: Transitions XTRActive lenses are the darkest everyday lenses available from Transitions Optical. Outdoors, they will reach a 90 percent tint at 73 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. They have a slight tint indoors, clearing to 83 percent light transmittance without AR, and 89 percent with AR. Behind a windshield, they will darken to a 50 percent tint.Availability: Transitions XTRActive lenses are currently available on customized polycarbonate and 1.67 lenses from Carl Zeiss Vision, including Zeiss Individual and Zeiss Individual single vision, as well as SOLA ASL polycarbonate and 1.67 semi-finished single vision.www.vision.zeiss.com/us

Reveal Line Extensions

Distributor/Manufacturer: VSP/Carl Zeiss VisionDescription: VSP's new Reveal free-form lenses with optics by Carl Zeiss provide advanced personalization for progressive and single vision patients.Features: VSP Reveal Freeform Vi premium progressive lenses go beyond the prescription and the frame and optimizing visual performance by using precise fitting measurements. The lens design also employs Vision Expansion Technology, which balances the optical characteristics that are most critical to visual performance and patient satisfaction, providing up to 50 percent wider fields of vision. Due to their advanced technology features and the additional individualized measurements required, VSP Reveal Freeform Vi progressive lenses are a category "N" lens in the 2011 VSP patient option list and deliver the highest level reimbursement. VSP Reveal Freeform SVi lenses offer patients with a single vision prescription the same customization, optimized for their individual prescription and position of wear to provide a unique fit and great visual performance. The lenses also utilize Vision Expansion Technology and give the wearer up to 50 percent larger fields of view compared to conventional single vision lenses. i.Scription by Zeiss is available for all VSP Reveal Freeform lenses, giving patients a uniquely customized prescription.Availability: VSP Reveal Freeform Vi and VSP Reveal Freeform SVi are available exclusively through VSP private practice doctors to VSP members and non-members. VSP providers can receive $20 for every pair of VSP Reveal progressive lenses ordered through eClaim or eLab (Excludes Medicaid and Medicare claims). $10 earnings will appear on the VSP Explanation of Payment (EOP). VSP providers can visit VSP Online at eyefinity.com for more information. Additionally, $10 per pair is available with eRevealRewards.com.

Canon CR-2 Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera

Manufacturer: CanonDescription: Integrating the latest in Canon's retinal imaging technology and enhancements in a compact frame, the Canon CR-2 Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera is the company's newest and lightest retinal camera to date, weighing only 33 pounds.Features: Can be easily installed or for added convenience, can be easily transported when needed. Illuminated control panel allows medical staff to easily navigate operations in darkened rooms. White LED lamp uses less power than a xenon tube and lasts approximately twice as long, which can help reduce energy costs in medical facilities and contributes to a lower total-cost-of-ownership.Availability: The CR-2 Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera joins Canon's complete line of total digital imaging solutions and workflow management solutions for ophthalmic professionals. It is available for purchase through authorized Canon dealers.www.usa.canon.com/eye-care

Smile Reminder's 'Glasses Ready' Feature

Manufacturer: Smile ReminderDescription: Smile Reminder, the patient communication service, is introducing a new "Glasses Ready" feature to help vision care professionals save time, save money and eliminate the need to contact each patient individually to let them know their eyewear is ready for pick-up.Features: The Glasses Ready feature produces an automated message from the practice when a patient's eyewear is ready for pick-up. Patients are alerted via e-mail, text message, or both, that their new eyewear is ready for pick-up at their convenience. The standard features offered through Smile Reminder's communication platform allow offices to simplify their daily routine and strengthen doctor-patient relationships through services such as: automated appointment reminders and confirmations, last minute appointment openings, announcements, e-newsletters, e-surveys, custom promotions, patient recall/recare, patient referrals and a new suite of tools that take advantage of Web 2.0 opportunities.Availability: Smile Reminder enhances its messaging solution with SmileDash.com, an online patient interaction Web portal. Patients can now interact with their provider online in a secure environment to pay bills, view patient images, send secure messages and download forms online. Smile Reminder's new Xtend Platform gives practices the knowledge and tools to acquire and maintain patients.www.smilereminder.com